Father, son charged for alleged terrorist activities in GTA were planning ‘violent attack’ in Toronto

CITYnews halifax / By Lucas Casaletto

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) says a father and son in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who were recently arrested for alleged terrorist activities involving the Islamic State (ISIS) were planning a “violent attack in Toronto.”

Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and his 26-year-old son, Mostafa Eldidi, are both charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist group identified as the Islamic State. Ahmed Eldidi and Mostafa Eldidi were also charged with facilitating terrorist activity and conspiracy to commit murder.

The pair are facing weapons offences for being in possession of a machete and axe, and Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi was charged with aggravated assault.

Last weekend, the RCMP arrested the father and son at a hotel in Richmond Hill, alleging they were in the “advanced stages of planning a serious, violent attack in Toronto.” The intended targets of the attack are unclear as the RCMP refused to comment further, given an active publication ban.

The RCMP said the machete and axe were in their possession at the time of their arrests over the weekend. It’s unclear if additional charges will be laid.

No threat to public safety, RCMP says

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Matt Peggs of the Central Region of policing said that between July 1 and July 29, 2024, the two accused allegedly facilitated terrorist activity and knowingly assisted ISIS.

The RCMP also alleges that the two men were conspiring to commit terrorist activity while in Toronto, York Region and other parts of the province, including the GTA. It’s believed the father and son came to Canada on a previous date.

The RCMP said there is no active threat to the public. Ahmed Eldidi and Mostafa Eldidi will make a virtual court appearance on Thursday.

“I am very proud of the impressive team effort that made these arrests possible,” said Peggs.

“I also want to thank our law enforcement partners in the INSET group for their invaluable assistance. The RCMP Federal Police take all threats to our national security very seriously. This was an imminent threat, and we were able to prevent serious injuries or loss of life.”